Marathon Weekend 2025

[Dopey 2020]

A little behind things and catching up today. Finished my last Dopey sim yesterday under protest. What should have been 5/5/10/20 became 5/10/5/15 due to the weather. I’m pretty stubborn and have been outside in winter for 50+ years but single digits are not my thing. Did 10 outside yesterday then moved to the dreadmill and after 5 more decided the hay better be in the barn because I’m done bailing it.

Also had my first Apple hardware fail ever. I’m waiting for my new watch to arrive today as my 7 decided it was likewise done and repairs are not worth the $$ so extra for me under the tree.

Going to see how a different taper works this time around, daughters school starts earlier with MW starting later so we will be in Disney before the races and heading out right after, so only a handful of shorter runs left for me over the next week and a half and maybe a few miles around Copper Creek on Monday before the expo. Probably too much food, drink, and Disney but it will be fun!

See everyone soon, Happy Holidays!!

 

[superchime]

SAFD:
1 - Bring a battery powered alarm clock, or set a wake up call or something. I don't 100% rely on my phone to wake me up after the time it decided to brick itself in the middle of the night before a race (I think it tried to update and failed). Luckily I don't actually sleep much before races so I woke up in time anyway, but after that I bought a little battery powered travel alarm clock.

2 - As my family says, I "don't like fun" so there are lots of rides that I've never ridden and never will. Pretty much anything faster than the IASW boats is out. I will ride pirates but I have to hang on for dear life on the drop. Test track almost did me in, and I'm pretty sure my soul left my body on the similar Cars ride at Disneyland. But I'm happy to snag virtual queues and hold bags while people ride Guardians.

 

[cburnett11]

One tip - goes for anyone but especially the Goofy and Dopey runners. When you get back to the hotel run a cold bath, just turn the nozzle to cold, no ice. Let it fill and sit in for 15 minutes. It is uncomfortable but it does wonders and can be followed by a nice warm shower as reward. Then make sure at some point in the afternoon you get out and get in a good walk whether in the parks or just around your resort.

100% on this. My slightly different version of this is that I will go to one of the resort pools and just walk for a while in the shallow end. The water is usually cool enough that I think it helps with my lower body recovery. I’ll usually follow that up with a little hot tub, but I’m at POP this time so won’t have that luxury. I did a full on ice bath my first couple marathons, but doubt I’ll ever make that move again.

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD1: Lots of good advice on the board. I don't think I can add anything else that already hasn't been posted.

SAFD2: Never been on Mission Space: Orange. I went on Green side once. I can't imagine being in that small enclosure and having G forces put on your. No thanks. I get sick at The Simpsons ride at Universal. Won't even chance the Orange side.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD:

One tip - goes for anyone but especially the Goofy and Dopey runners. When you get back to the hotel run a cold bath, just turn the nozzle to cold, no ice. Let it fill and sit in for 15 minutes. It is uncomfortable but it does wonders and can be followed by a nice warm shower as reward. Then make sure at some point in the afternoon you get out and get in a good walk whether in the parks or just around your resort. For me anyway, I have found this to really help reduce soreness and I have felt so much better the next morning for race two, three or four.

I do this, but I'll dissolve some epsom salt with hot water first, and then turn the temperature down so it's not *warm* but it's not so cold that I'm miserable.

100% on this. My slightly different version of this is that I will go to one of the resort pools and just walk for a while in the shallow end. The water is usually cool enough that I think it helps with my lower body recovery. I’ll usually follow that up with a little hot tub, but I’m at POP this time so won’t have that luxury. I did a full on ice bath my first couple marathons, but doubt I’ll ever make that move again.

YES. I've also used the "legs in the pool" method and agree that the below-body-temperature water combined with the slight pressure of the water helps and feels really good.

 

[pluto377]

SAFD:

Tip- soak it in. Disney races are so unique! Even if you don't stop for characters, at least take a few seconds to see who's there and maybe grab a quick selfie This applies double to Main St. If you have enough cushion, really take your time and soak up that atmosphere on Main St. There's nothing else like it! It won't feel like it during, but the races go by so fast and before you know it you'll be amazed that it's all over.

Rides- haven't ridden Tron. Never again- Guardians maybe. I got so sick last time I went on that I'm not sure I want to try again.

Just wanted to add a pic from my run yesterday. It was cold but so beautiful! I'm another one that has a long run this upcoming weekend so my hay is almost in the barn

 

[nancipants]

Since the bot for the balloon ladies tracker no longer works, this chart will be handy!

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[Let's Get Kronk]

Thanks for everyone's advice on Friday about my ITBS and my last long run. I opted to go ahead and do my long run on Saturday and did not do any back-to-backs this weekend. I managed to get 18 miles in (I kind of wanted to go for 20 but my body said no). My IT band did not hurt at all, but I am convinced it's mainly because I stubbornly put my IT band strap back on. I used it for the last few weeks of Dopey training last year but I hate having that pressure on my leg for long distances. But, it works so I guess I'm stuck with it to get me through Dopey next month. I hit a wall super hard at mile 13 and then my hamstrings and calves started cramping at mile 15. That's on me; I must not have fueled properly in the days leading up to the run. BUT, the good news is that I am feeling much more confident that I can finish Dopey in spite of my ITBS. I am officially in taper town and will be doing mostly 6-milers the next couple of weeks to keep my endurance up.

SAFD: my tip would be to try to relax as much as you can mentally and emotionally leading up to the races. I am the king of stressing myself out for absolutely no reason and it always seems to work out in the end. Enjoy the expo. Enjoy the parks. Enjoy seeing friends and remember that we GET to do this. It's fun, so enjoy it!

I have never done Kali River Rapids because I cannot stand being drenched for hours afterwards on those types of rides. I want to do Awesome Planet just to say that I have, and I may try to find an experience or two that I've never done for the sake of completeness. I also need to see the new Country Bears show because I missed it during W&D.

 

[kps7795]

Wait wait wait, I still have a big week of runs and one more long run next weekend, I’m not quite ready for that hay in the barn stuff just yet!

Same. I have a 10 mile Tempo workout scheduled for this week, a 10 mile Long Run and a 6 x 1 Mile workout before I taper. Different plans...different schedules.

 

[kps7795]

SAFD: I hate to repeat what others have already written, but NOTHING new on race day. Try to practice everything that you might want to do before you get to Disney World whether that's your outfit, your intervals (if you're doing RWR), your hydration and definitely fuel. The other thing (that's already been mentioned, but is worth mentioning again) is to soak it all in because it's such a unique experience. Try to PR in fun!

Having been an AP for the past 17 years, there is not a single attraction or show that I have not done. Moreover, I cannot think about anything that I would not do again. I am definitely glad that my kids are beyond The Boneyard age...RIP Boneyard....but, those were fun times when the kids would sit and "dig" up the dinosaurs.

 

[rick1zoo2]

This is what we did after the Wine & Dine challenge. Filled the largest pot at the ice machine and dumped into cold water in the bathtub. We were staying at Boulder Ridge.



Then the breakfast skillet from Whispering Springs ( that was the second helping).

And never again for Mission Space.

 

[fatmanatee]

SAFD: not new advice but trust the work you put in and do your best to relax. Try not to overdo it in the parks if this is your first time doing Dopey, especially on half marathon day.

Only a couple remaining noteworthy haven’t dones at WDW: Kali (not getting wet), Mission Space Orange (not getting dizzy and I DID get dizzy on green when i tried it for the first time last year!). Was in Epcot more often than usual for the Springtime Surprise trip for Guardians rides so I took it as an opportunity to do more wandering. Hadn't done Seas (Nemo version), ditto for Mission Space. Found out that Mission Space is not good for me in general lol.

 

[fatmanatee]

Managed to get out for the 12 miler yesterday

 

[kristenabelle]

Fun transportation question for half & full days. Anyone have monorail raceday experience coming from the Poly? Are we able to walk to TTC and catch the epcot line directly, or do you have to leave from the GCH station?

 

[Herding_Cats]

Fun transportation question for half & full days. Anyone have monorail raceday experience coming from the Poly? Are we able to walk to TTC and catch the epcot line directly, or do you have to leave from the GCH station?

Paging @The Expert

 

[The Expert]

Fun transportation question for half & full days. Anyone have monorail raceday experience coming from the Poly? Are we able to walk to TTC and catch the epcot line directly, or do you have to leave from the GCH station?

Yes, usually it is open and you can walk from Poly to TTC and grab the Epcot monorail directly. You will have to go through security at TTC, so the only hitch is if you get there before that opens. This could change at any time, so maybe check with runner relations to confirm.

 

[kristenabelle]

Yes, usually it is open and you can walk from Poly to TTC and grab the Epcot monorail directly. You will have to go through security at TTC, so the only hitch is if you get there before that opens. This could change at any time, so maybe check with runner relations to confirm.

Will do - thanks so much!

 

[The Expert]

Is shoveling snow considered cross-training? Asking for a friend. (I know @Naomeri knows this answer!)

Bonus, this scene is literally 5 minutes from my house:

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[Mr_Incr3dible]

Wait wait wait, I still have a big week of runs and one more long run next weekend, I’m not quite ready for that hay in the barn stuff just yet!

Unlike History class, you can't cram for this at the last minute....
;-) Enjoy the runs.

More random advice, especially to the first-timers: straighten the corners, because the race is measured apex to apex. My tendency is to get on one side of the road and stay there, but after analyzing that approach, it is well over 1/4 mile more distance. Pass!
And stay off the painted lines. They tend to be slick if there is any moisture on them.
The other caveat about being an edge-of-the-road runner is accidentally stepping off the asphalt into the sand or grass and accidentally turning an ankle. I've come close to doing this a couple of times.
I occasionally get off the pavement and onto the sand or grass in areas where I can see the terrain and/or pass some people, but otherwise I stay between the lines (literally) and hit the apexes as much as possible without cutting anyone off.
Oh, and watch out for some of the interval runners with short intervals suddenly dropping out of warp in front of you. I had a lady do that at Mile 25, when my thought processes are already dimmed, and she stepped right in front of me, raised her hand, and slowed. She about had a physics lesson of a large heavy object in motion (me) encountering a much lighter object nearly at rest (her). I had some choice words there, but managed to avoid a collision.
Enjoy. YMMV.
Oh, and Merry Christmas!

 

[Herding_Cats]

More random advice, especially to the first-timers: straighten the corners, because the race is measured apex to apex. My tendency is to get on one side of the road and stay there, but after analyzing that approach, it is well over 1/4 mile more distance. Pass!

I feel judged.

-signed, someone whose Disney marathons are always over 27mi.